Abstract: An ionizer includes positive and negative wire electrodes each formed of a conductive wire with a circular cross section. The wire electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other, each having circumferential surfaces serving as a discharge surface on which a corona discharge occurs upon application of positive and negative high voltages for discharging positive and negative ions.

Abstract: With a piezoelectric transformer formed of a ferroelectric element which generates a high voltage in a secondary section upon application of an AC voltage to a primary section, ground electrodes are attached to upper and lower surfaces of the secondary section of the piezoelectric transformer via a dielectric sheet for insulation in tight contact therewith such that a dielectric barrier discharge occurs around the ground electrodes to generate positive and negative ions, and an air flow is injected from an air nozzle to flow toward a neutralized subject across the ground electrodes.

Abstract: With a piezoelectric transformer formed of a ferroelectric element which generates a high voltage in a secondary section upon application of an AC voltage to a primary section, ground electrodes are attached to upper and lower surfaces of the secondary section of the piezoelectric transformer via a dielectric sheet for insulation in tight contact therewith such that a dielectric barrier discharge occurs around the ground electrodes to generate positive and negative ions, and an air flow is injected from an air nozzle to flow toward a neutralized subject across the ground electrodes.

Abstract: An ionizer includes positive and negative wire electrodes each formed of a conductive wire with a circular cross section. The wire electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other, each having circumferential surfaces serving as a discharge surface on which a corona discharge occurs upon application of positive and negative high voltages for discharging positive and negative ions.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 gas laser device comprises a plurality of divided cathode electrodes disposed in a linear row extending transversely across a high-speed flow of a gas containing CO.sub.2, and parts of the cathode electrodes producing negative glow are disposed at the same height as anodes at a downstream position. Additionally, a device for controlling the distribution of gas flow velocity, which functions doubly as means for creating turbulent flow, and a preliminary discharge electrode are disposed on the upstream side of the cathode electrodes, the former being set at a height position corresponding substantially to that of the middle portions of the cathode electrodes.

Abstract: A vacuum switch having two main electrodes encased in a vacuum vessel to be operable in opening and closing the main electrodes, is provided with a contact piece made of a copper-chromium alloy secured or formed on at least one of the main electrodes. The operational property of the main electrodes is substantially improved by flowing and interrupting an electric current of a predetermined current density for a number of times through the two main electrodes for improving surface condition of the contact piece by forming a recrystallized layer over the outer surface of the contact piece.